Sadly, many people are unaware of the potentially deadly consequences the release of sky lanterns can have for wildlife and other animals.

Their sale has already been banned in countries such as Austria, Germany, and Malta and we would like to see local authorities up and down the country ban their use so this needless suffering can end.

Sky lanterns - along with fireworks and balloons - may seem like innocent ways to celebrate the New Year, but if used carelessly they can terrify, injure and kill all animals - wildlife, livestock and pets."

The RSPCA in Buckinghamshire is searching for a new home for a one-eyes kitten called Munchkin.

Munchkin came to the RSPCA in July 2014 as one of four three-week-old kittens. Their mum, Lucy, also came into the care of the charity, but one of her kittens sadly died before the RSPCA was contacted.

Munchkin, now five months old, was smaller than his two sisters and always wanted feeding. All of the cats had fleas and Munchkin was also missing a left eye.

The RSPCA said: "Munchkin’s surgery was carried on on 16 October. It was highly risky but the plucky kitten got stronger afterwards and put on weight. His recovery continued and we are now looking for a new home for him."

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a cat was shot in the paw in Hastings.

Loki, a young male tabby, not even a year old, was found bleeding at his home in Mare Bay Close, St Leonards on Sea.

X-rays revealed he had been shot in the leg by an air rifle. It is believed he was wandering in the woods near his house when he was attacked. Despite initial fears that he may not survive the attack, Loki is now on the road to recovery.

Anyone with any information should call the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 123 8018.

“What really scares us though is letting him out again, knowing that there is someone out there who shot him and might do this again.”

– Callum Mair, Loki's owner

“We urge anyone with any information about this callous act to come forward and let us know - it was such a pointlessly cruel thing to do.

Every year the RSPCA is bombarded with calls reporting animals being deliberately shot by an air gun. The injuries caused by such attacks are horrific and often fatal."

Salisbury Magistrates' Court heard how Allen and Brown had gone to a veterinary practice in Trowbridge, Wiltshire on January 17 this year to inquire about having the dog put down because it was too aggressive.

They were told the animal would have to be assessed and the procedure would cost more than £100.

Matthew Knight, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the vet noted the pair seemed concerned about the cost.

The next day the three defendants hanged the dog from a loft hatch at Reid's home in Trowbridge.

The dog's body was buried in Reid's garden. The RSPCA began investigating in March

All three defendants had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to causing
unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Brown, of Okehampton Road, Exeter, Devon failed to attend court today for
sentencing and magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest.

Reid and Allen, both of Woolpack Meadows, Trowbridge did attend and their
solicitors both told the court how they had suffered "vilification" in the
local community.

Nick Redhead, for Reid, said: "She is in no doubt as to the gravity of the position she finds herself in today.

"She has suffered a degree of vilification in her community has a
consequence."

A woman from Dorset has been disqualified from keeping animals for five years, after she was caught on CCTV kicking her dog outside a row of shops.

Hannah Bennett, 35, of Arras Road, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing suffering by kicking Mace, her Staffordshire bull terrier, on 30 May 2014. She was also given a two-week custodial sentence to be suspended for 12 months and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80 by Weymouth Magistrates' Court.

CCTV footage showed Bennett outside a shop on High Street in Wool, with Mace following closely behind her. She then turned and appeared to say something to the dog before drawing back her right leg and kicking him so hard that he flew from the raised walkway through railings onto the adjacent car park.

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A Bovington woman has been disqualified from keeping animals for five years after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to her dog by kicking him. 35 year old Hannah Bennett of Arras Road, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing suffering by kicking Mace, her Staffordshire bull terrier, on 30 May 2014. She was also given a two-week custodial sentence to be suspended for 12 months and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80 by Weymouth Magistrates' Court.

CCTV footage showed Bennett outside a shop on High Street in Wool, with Mace following closely behind her. She then turned and appeared to say something to the dog before drawing back her right leg and kicking him so hard that he flew from the raised walkway through railings onto the adjacent car park.

Bennett continued to pull and drag Mace by his collar after being remonstrated with by passers-by, but they eventually managed to get the dog away from her. Veterinary examinations showed that 13-year-old Mace had tenderness to his abdomen and blood in his urine. However, he recovered after about 10 days and was later signed over to the RSPCA. He remains in our care.

"Mace clearly trusted his owner and she abused this trust when she kicked him. No animal should have to suffer at the hands of its owner as they are the one person in the world who should be caring for that animal."

The RSPCA has launched a campaign to find homes for a record number of abused, neglected and abandoned horses and ponies. The charity is facing an equine crisis as falling horse prices, combined with rising feed and care costs, have led to thousands of horses being neglected and dumped.

Over the last five years, the number of neglected horses rescued by RSPCA inspectors has almost tripled. Convictions relating to horses have more than doubled - bucking the national trend of a reduction in animal welfare convictions.

RSPCA inspectors rescued most equines from Hampshire last year - 163 horses, ponies and donkeys The charity has 900 neglected, abused and abandoned horses in care across England and Wales.

RSPCA chief inspector Cathy Hyde said: "Over the past five years there has been worrying increase in equine neglect and abuse. This is witnessed on a daily basis by frontline staff. This disturbing trend seems to be affecting equines more than any other animal that we deal with."

The Homes for Horses campaign is being launched today to find loving homes for hundreds of RSPCA rescue horse and ponies. A series of open days is being held at RSPCA centres to showcase rescue horses and ponies. To find out more visit www.rspca.org.uk/homesforhorses